[Ip-health] in addition to: seizure on generic drugs in EU

[Evelien van Meerveld]

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On June 15 we received a visit from a leading forwarding agent. The
purpose of their visit to Europe is to discuss 4 recent seizures of
medicines involving them as the responsible forwarder. The seizures were
at Schiphol and CDG.

The forwarders frustration is that there is no clear communication how
long it will take before the goods are released again. For this purpose,
they will meet with the head of Air France cargo.



IDA shares the forwarders concern that over the past 6 months neither
local nor European authorities have been clear on their respective
actions. Last month, a consignment of generic amoxicillin was kept in
Frankfurt for almost a month. Most of the generic medicines are
manufactured in India and more and more manufacturers are hurt.

IDA understands that the fight against counterfeit medicines unavoidably
brings along checks on documentation. However, it is unacceptable that
certain consignments take weeks up to months before being released,
especially because of the increasing frequency.



IDA is more and more considering bypassing Europe as a transit hub for
their shipments of ARV's and other life extending medicines. This is
because the letter received by IDA from European commissioners does not
give a clear answer on what we can expect from Brussels and meanwhile
unjustified seizures continue to take place.





On behalf of Edwin de Voogd

Managing Director IDA Foundation